Air India crash: Investigators look for clues into cause

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits crash site in Ahmedabad 
• China's President Xi Jinping sends condolences to Modi

• India may ground Air India's Boeing 787 fleet after deadly crash, according to a media report

This blog covers the latest developments on Friday, June 13, after the plane crash in Ahmedabad:

06/13/2025June 13, 2025

Investigators look for clues into deadly crash

Investigators on Friday were combing through the wreckage of one of India's worst aviation disasters.

Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday, killing at least 241 people on board and several people on the ground.

The charred remains of the passengers forced authorities to rely on DNA testing for identification, according to the president of the Federation of All India Medical Association, Akshay Dongardiv.

Rescue workers have completed the initial search and are now recovering human remains and critical aircraft components.

Officials said it might be weeks before a final death toll is confirmed.

Volunteer rescuer Bharat Solanki said: "We saw bodies everywhere — they were in pieces, fully burnt."

Authorities are still searching for the black boxes, although local media reports indicate one may have been recovered.

Indian authorities have launched a probe with investigators reportedly examining whether "a loss or reduction in engine thrust" may have contributed to the crash, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The lone survivor, Vishwaskumar Ramesh, described hearing a strange noise just after takeoff, followed by a sudden descent.

06/13/2025June 13, 2025

Welcome to our coverage

Shakeel Sobhan | Farah Bahgat

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident "heartbreaking beyond words"Image: VIJAY PATANI/AFP

This blog will bring you the latest developments regarding the Air India Flight 171, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London's Gatwick Airport, on Thursday, killing nearly all of the 242 people on board.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft crashed into a medical college hostel, killing several people.

Remarkably, one passenger survived and was taken to hospital.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident "heartbreaking beyond words."

In addition to the main headlines, DW will also bring you analysis and latest reports regarding the incident.